New Outbreak of Violence Threatening in Palestine, Cairo Hears

April 25, 1940

CAIRO (Apr. 24)

Palestine Arab quarters here said today that a new outbreak of violence was expected in the Holy Land in the near future. According to these sources, agents are traveling throughout Palestine inciting the villagers and new bands are being organized under the slogan, “We demand a national government.”

The agents reportedly are pointing out that the land sale restrictions are not doing the Arabs any good since sales are prohibited only in the bill area, where “Jews are not buying anyhow, while the best parts of the land are open to Jewish purchase.”

Hostilities, Arab quarters said, will break out after the forthcoming Feast of Nebi Musa (Moslem holy day marking the death of Moses) and are expected to be directed exclusively against the Jews as opposing an Arab national government.

Meanwhile, the newspaper Bourse Egyptienne reports that the visit to Iraq by Emir Abdullah of the Transjordan has stirred great interest in Arab circles. The paper said the Emir discussed terms of the new British policy in Palestine and the Transjordan. It was asserted in certain quarters that establishment of a national government in Palestine was the main item of the discussions.